Ericsson projects 6.1 billion smartphone subscribers by the end of 2020

You might be forgiven should you look at the current smartphone market and think “this is as good as it gets”. We have QHD screens, 64-Bit CPUs, 4GB of RAM (maybe), displays of all sizes and shapes, and now even wearables to saturate ourselves with. You also might be forgiven should you think this is as much as it matters: smartphones aren’t new anymore, and so chances are most people around you already have one or plan to buy one eventually.

Still, Ericsson has released its November 2014 Mobility Report, indicating (among many things) that 2014 has been a very big year. Take a look:

As you can see, mobile subscriptions have climbed significantly this year, although the breakdown itself is interesting in terms of exactly what type of subscription we’re talking about here:

LTE only comprises a tiny fraction of the market, although it’s clearly growing steadily. Instead,  the HSPA/GSM market it just about to hit its peak, with around 2017 beginning the gradual decline. GSM/EDGE-only service has already started its gradual decline.

Perhaps the most interesting chart, however is this one:

Quite an incredible projection, to say the least. 6.1 billion smartphone subscriptions by the end of 2020. That is over double the current number, and will in no small way be accomplished by sales in developing countries, including the absolutely massive Chinese market which is already exploding. It’s safe to say that there is big money to be made in the budget arena, providing there’s enough marketing at least.

Please be sure to check the source link for the full details, including many, many graphs and charts about all kinds of mobile related goodness!